Document Type
Thesis - Open Access
Award Date
1985
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department / School
Agricultural Engineering
First Advisor
Leslie L. Christianson
Abstract
Vehicle configuration possibilities for the experimental prototype battery-powered chore tractor, the Electric Choremaster were analyzed. The vehicle was designed with the batteries and the traction motor on the front frame and the loader, the cab and the pto motor on the rear frame. Time and motion studies, surveys, subjective assessments and quantifiable data which relate to human factors in chore tractor design are presented. A survey of 80 South Dakota farmers showed that cab accessibility is of major concern to 46% of the farmers and of importance to an additional 34%. Access system configuration affected the time required to mount and dismount from cabs on commercially available tractors. Electric Choremaster prototype was evaluated from the human factors perspective through physical measurements, surveys and subjective assessment. It does not have the desired easy accessibility due to cab height, the articulated frame and seat configuration. Noise levels at rated speeds were 62 dbA maximum contrasted with 80-90 dbA for typical diesel tractors. The volume and weight of batteries complicate achieving an agricultural tractor with high clearance and low center of gravity. Therefore, research was initiated with the following objectives: 1. Analyze vehicle configuration possibilities and recommend a configuration well-suited for the battery-powered tractor. 2. Obtain human factors data pertaining to a chore tractor design, and 3. Evaluate the experimental prototype battery-powered chore tractor from the human factors’ perspective.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Tractors -- Design and construction
Electric vehicles -- Design and construction
Format
application/pdf
Number of Pages
102
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Rights
No Copyright - United State
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Recommended Citation
Latif, Muhammed Niaz, "Vehicle Configuration Design for a Battery-powered Chore Tractor Including Human Factors Considerations" (1985). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 4282.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/4282